Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently responded strongly to a threat from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to raise tariffs on Colombian goods. Petro didn’t hold back, firing back with a fiery statement that has grabbed attention worldwide.
The issue began when Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombian products entering the United States. He even warned that this could go up to 50% if Petro didn’t agree to U.S. demands. Petro wasn’t happy with this. He clarified that Colombia wouldn’t just bow down to any pressure from the United States. In a robust response, he placed the same 50% tariff on U.S. goods entering Colombia.
But that’s not all Petro said. He went on social media to share his thoughts, and his words were strong and clear. “I don’t shake my hand with white slavers,” he boldly stated.
Trump, a mi no me gusta mucho viajar a los EEUU, es un poco aburridor, pero confieso que hay cosas meritorias, me gusta ir a los barrios negros de Washington, allí ví una lucha entera en la capital de los EEUU entre negros y latinos con barricadas, que me pareció una pendejada,…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 26, 2025
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
He explained that he disagreed with Trump’s ways, calling them greedy and harmful to the planet. Petro also said that the U.S. was too focused on oil and business at the cost of the environment and people’s well-being.
Petro used many powerful words in his statement and even mentioned some parts of U.S. history. “I confess that I like Walt Whitman and Paul Simon,” he said, showing that he respects some parts of U.S. culture. But he also remembered things from the past, like Sacco and Vanzetti, two men from Italy who were wrongly executed in the U.S. Petro called their story important, as it represented injustice and violence.
Petro also used his own life to explain why he resisted pressure from other countries. He shared that he had been tortured in the past but remained strong and continued fighting for what he believed in. “I die in my law, I resisted torture, and I resist you,” he boldly declared to Trump. Petro wanted the world to know Colombia would not give up its freedom.
He also gave a message of pride for his country. Petro said Colombia wasn’t just a tiny country next to the United States. He said, “Colombia now stops looking north, looks at the world.” This meant that Colombia would no longer focus on the U.S. Instead, it would look for new relationships with other countries worldwide.
The president continued by explaining how vital Colombia’s history and culture are. He said, “My land is of goldsmithing existing at the time of the Egyptian pharaohs,” referring to the ancient culture of Colombia. He also reminded people that Colombia’s land was home to the first free territory in all of the Americas. Petro was proud of his people’s history, from their African heritage to their independence from Spanish rule.
Petro’s message was clear: Colombia would not let anyone, especially the U.S., dictate its future. “You will never dominate us,” he said. The president also emphasized the importance of freedom, describing Colombia as a land of liberty where people had always fought for their rights. He reminded everyone of Colombia’s role in Latin America’s history and its important relationship with the rest of the world.
But even in his anger, Petro offered a possibility of peace. He said, “Maybe someday, along with a shot of whiskey, we can talk frankly about this.” This showed that while he was angry, he was also open to talking and resolving issues. However, he made it clear that Colombia would not back down.
It is very clear that Colombia is not afraid to fight for its freedom. As Petro said, “I resisted torture, and I resist you.”
Featured image via Screengrab
